'Weapons' 'true story' origins explained by director Zach Cregger
The story was shaped by a real event in the life of director Zach Cregger: the sudden death of his best friend, Trevor Moore.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Cregger said, 'I had a tragedy in my life that was really, really tough. Someone very, very, very close to me died suddenly and… I just started writing Weapons… as a way to reckon with my own emotions.'
Certain chapters of the film are autobiographical, reflecting his own experience of grief. However, the missing children narrative and other plot elements were invented.
To promote the film, Warner Bros created the MaybrookMissing.com website featuring fictional in-universe news articles, further blurring the line between fact and fiction.
In Rolling Stone, Cregger explained that the loss occurred during post-production on his 2022 film Barbarian.
'Like the rest of the world, I don't want to watch another horror movie about grief,' he said, though he admitted the themes of loss became central to Weapons. Conversations with fellow director Ari Aster encouraged him to embrace the personal aspects of the script.
The director described Weapons as more inward-looking compared to Barbarian, focusing on his own life and emotions. The opening line, 'This is a true story,' was the first sentence he wrote, using it as a starting point to explore the fictional mystery.
While the events of Weapons did not occur, Cregger's personal experiences deeply influenced its emotional core, shaping a narrative that combines fictional horror with real-life inspiration.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
'Weapons' prequel considered as Zach Cregger explores next film projects
Warner Bros. and New Line are in discussions with filmmaker Zach Cregger about developing a prequel to his hit horror film Weapons, centred on Amy Madigan's breakout character, Aunt Gladys. According to multiple sources, the idea would expand on a chapter Cregger originally wrote for Weapons that explored Gladys's backstory but was cut from the final script for length. No deals are currently in place, and no timeline has been set. Weapons, which uses a chapter-based structure to focus on different characters, opened to $43 million domestically from 8–10 August, exceeding expectations by more than $10 million. It has since reached $48 million domestically and $83 million worldwide. The film also achieved the best August Monday gross for a horror title, not adjusted for inflation. Cregger, whose 2022 debut Barbarian was a breakout success, is currently in pre-production in Prague on a Resident Evil reboot for Columbia Pictures. The project is expected to earn him a reported $20 million fee, with a scheduled release date of September 18 2026. Alongside the potential Weapons prequel, Cregger's future projects may include Henchman, an original story that would fall under Warner Bros.' DC Studios division, and Flood, a sci-fi script he has already completed. Warner Bros. co-chair Michael De Luca was among the first executives to express interest in Weapons after reading the script in January 2023. The studio secured the project for $38 million, outbidding other contenders, including Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter before the release of Weapons, Cregger said, 'Everything in this business changes on a dime. On the other side of Resident Evil, I may not be able to make anything. You just never know.'
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Johnny Depp open to Pirates of the Caribbean 6 return on one condition
Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remains in development, but producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that Johnny Depp is open to returning as Captain Jack Sparrow—if the script is to his liking. The franchise began as a Disneyland attraction before achieving worldwide success with Gore Verbinski's 2003 film The Curse of the Black Pearl. Depp's portrayal of Sparrow became a defining element of the series, which saw Verbinski direct the next two sequels before different directors took over for the fourth and fifth films. A sixth instalment has faced delays since 2018 due to creative changes, script rewrites, and Depp's high-profile legal dispute with ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp was dropped from the role during the controversy, but after the trial concluded with a jury finding Heard liable for defamation, public perception shifted. During the trial, Depp had said 'nothing on this earth' would make him return to the role, 'even if Disney presented me with $300 million and a million alpacas.' However, in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bruckheimer revealed that the actor is willing to discuss a comeback. 'If he likes the way the part's written, I think he would do it. It's all about what's on the page, as we all know,' Bruckheimer said. He also confirmed Pirates 6 will be a reboot but expressed his preference for Depp's involvement. 'If it was up to me, he would be in it. I love him. He's a good friend. He's an amazing artist and he's a unique look. He created Captain Jack,' Bruckheimer noted, recalling Depp's unique blend of influences in shaping the character.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Brolin finds a cure for streaming fatigue in 'Weapons'
Josh Brolin says his latest project, Weapons, is a refreshing change from what he describes as repetitive, uninspired content dominating streaming platforms. Speaking to Collider, the Oscar-nominated actor said he was drawn to the horror mystery directed by Zach Cregger because it defies genre conventions. "Right now, with so much content, you're just watching things on whatever streaming service you're on, and you're just going, 'Why is this so boring, man? Why?'" Brolin said. "It's all the same," he continued. "And then somebody not only takes the horror genre, but then messes with it and does something on the edge of absurdity — sort of humorous — so it's keeping you off balance enough for it to have an emotional impact." Weapons, which co-stars Julia Garner, follows a small community thrown into chaos when all but one child from the same class vanish on the same night at exactly the same time. The mystery forces the town to confront what — or who — is behind the disappearances. The film opened to strong box office results, earning $42.5 million in its first weekend — more than $10 million above industry projections — and has received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. Cregger, whose 2022 film Barbarian was widely praised, told The Hollywood Reporter that horror remains one of the few genres still allowing large-scale creative risks. "Without horror, you go to the theatre and you get people in tights for $200 million, and there's not a lot of room for risk in those movies," he said. "I dearly wish that we could have cool, edgy weird comedies back in theatres. Or dramatic fare for adults. I feel like there's not a lot of movies for grown-ups anymore."
